In the long contractual battle between Tic Tac And Universal music group, a high-profile exemption was granted to Taylor Swift. Some of his songs have become available again TikTok Sounds on Thursday, just a week before the release of Swift’s latest album, The Department of Tortured Poets. It is still unclear what kind of arrangement was made for his official music to return or how long it will remain on the social media platform.
Madeleine Macraé, a Swift fan and TikTok creator, heard the news Thursday morning and immediately started searching TikTok and Google to confirm it wasn’t a hoax. “I’m really excited to have this catalog back, and I don’t have to rely on sped-up versions or edited versions,” she says. “I can just use his real music.” Songs like “Cruel Summer,” “Cardigan” and “Style (Taylor’s Version)” can now be used by content creators on the platform, like first reported by Variety.
Besides being excited about using Swift’s songs in new videos, Macrae is grateful that the pop megastar’s music is potentially being revived for her previous videos on TikTok. “I went back and forth between deleting them or keeping them, because they look a little stupid,” she says. When UMG music was originally taken from TikTok’s library in January, a lot the creators were amazed to see their archives of past videos with certain songs go silent overnight.
Does this mean that The Department of Tortured Poets will the album be available for videos on TikTok? It’s uncertain, but Macrae is hopeful: “I think this decision also just shows the power of Taylor Swift.” Another major UMG artist, Billie Eilish, will soon promote her upcoming album, May’s Hit me hard and softbut Eilish fans will have to wait and see if her music also returns to TikTok before dropping.
Most UMG artists have been absent from TikTok for nearly 10 weeks, significantly changing the user experience on the social media platform and opening the door for non-UMG artists, like Beyoncé, to go viral with TikTok’s algorithm.
It remains a mystery when the long-running contract dispute between TikTok and UMG will be resolved. As one of the largest record labels in the world, UMG removing songs from TikTok has impacted the careers of many established artists as well as rising stars. Several artists have expressed frustration with this decision, often citing disrupted marketing plans or decrease in audience reach. A UMG spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
No matter what ultimately happens between the two companies, Swifties on TikTok are feeling grateful for the return of her music as they prepare for listening parties to celebrate the new album. “I already know my Friday night plans,” says Macrae. “Staying with friends, drinking wine and just listening to this album.” This looks like a truly social media party.
